FNG camp has new leader

Special to The Record

Published Wednesday, June 26, 2002

The Florida National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academy at Camp Blanding near Starke, has a new director.

Lt. Col. (retired) William "Buck" Burney, 48, a Jacksonville native and Air National Guard officer who last served as the alternate battle commander of the Southeast Air Defense Sector at Tyndall Air Force Base, replaces Lt. Col. Rodney Ryan, who will join the staff of the Florida National Guard facilities management office in St. Augustine.

Ryan's new position will come with increased responsibilities and will be a positive addition to the facilities management leadership team.

Burney is a command pilot with more than 2,800 flying hours. He flew the F-106, F-16 and F-15 in the NORAD alert mission. He served in various operational positions in the 125th Fighter Wing, including a tour as detachment commander of the NORAD alert detachment at Homestead AFB, Fla. and director of operations at headquarters, Florida Air National Guard, in St. Augustine.

Burney holds a bachelor's degree from Luther Rice Seminary and is currently finishing a master's degree in counseling.

Burney and his wife, LeaNan, live in Jacksonville and have three daughters: Tammy, Michelle and Ashley.

The Youth ChalleNGe Academy is run by the Florida National Guard with federal and state funding. The program helps high school dropouts, or expellees, complete the requirements for a high school diploma and develop valuable life skills.

Youth ChalleNGe is voluntary and applicants are carefully screened. Participants must volunteer, be 16-18 years old, a high school dropout, or expellee, a citizen or legal resident of the United States and resident of the state where the program is operated, unemployed, drug free and must not be convicted of a felony. Eligible youth must apply, be nominated by a member of the local community and be selected by a state appointed committee.